Cook Off Promises Family Fun

he FishHawk-Riverview Rotary Club will present the 28th Annual Alafia Boat Parade and Chili Cook Off on Saturday, December 3, from 5-9 p.m. at the International Independent Showmen's Association in Riverview. Bring the family out for this fun and festive event, and start your holiday celebrations on the banks of the beautiful Alafia River.

The newly formed FishHawk-Riverview Rotary Club is continuing a much-loved holiday tradition which includes lighted boats, Santa and delicious chili. The FishHawk-Riverview Rotary Club will host the 28th Annual Alafia Boat Parade and Chili Cook Off on Saturday, December 3, from 5-9 p.m. The event will take place at the International Independent Showmen’s Association, located at 6915 Riverview Dr. on the beautiful Alafia River in Riverview.
Christopher Jones, president-elect of the FishHawk Riverview Rotary Club said, “This event is a community service project for our club. There is no admission fee for the public to view the lighted boat parade. Children can receive free photos with Santa, and there will be free musical entertainment.” Jones added, “This is sometimes the only opportunity for some children in our area to get a photo with Santa.”
In addition to the lighted boat parade and other holiday festivities, chili lovers can participate in the Chili Cook Off either as contestants or judges. For $5 you can enter the chili area and taste each of the entries and then vote for your favorite to win. The cost to enter the contest is $15.
The Lighted Boat Parade is a spectacular holiday event not to be missed. The decorated boats will travel down the Alafia River from the U.S. Hwy. 41 bridge at Williams Park to the U.S. Hwy. 301 bridge and back. The parade will begin at 6 p.m.
Boats will be entered into two categories and will be eligible for prizes. For boats greater than 23 feet, first place winner will receive $750 and second place will receive $250. For boats less than 23 feet, the first place prize is $350 and second place gets $150. The cost to enter the parade is $25.
All proceeds from the fun, family event help support the FishHawk-Riverview Rotary Club’s High School Scholarship fund. Each year, seniors from Newsome, Spoto and Riverview High Schools are eligible to receive the scholarships in the spring. Last year, $2,000 was awarded. In addition to the scholarship fund, the club supports numerous local non-profits and partakes in numerous projects.
The FishHawk-Riverview Rotary Club meets every Monday at 12 Noon at the Bell Shoals Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, located at 4330 Bell Shoals Rd. in Valrico. For more information on Boat Parade and Chili Cook Off, please call 672-3687.